Women and Heart Disease Find a Location Find a Doctor Heart & Vascular Advanced Heart Failure Management Center Arrhythmia Center Diagnostic Testing Treatments/Procedures Cardiology Heart Attack Care Minimally Invasive Procedures Cardio-Oncology Cardiac Rehab Clinical Research Diagnostic Services Heart Surgery Patient Success Stories Prevention & Wellness AHA Training Center CardioVascular Mobile Health Unit Hands-only CPR Healing Hearts Women's Support Group Health Disparities and Cardiovascular Disease Heart Healthy Lifestyle Tips My Heart Rocks Take Time For Your Heart Women and Heart Disease Tobacco Cessation Fresh Start Tobacco Cessation Nicotine Medication Nicotine Replacement Nicotine Therapy Success Stories Tobacco Cessation Resources Youth E-cigarette and Vaping Epidemic Valve Center Aortic Valve Replacement Mitral Valve Surgery Your Hospital Stay Care After Heart Surgery Intensive Care for Heart Conditions Nurses with Heart Care Expertise Partners in Heart Care Transitional Care Units Open, Safe and Right Here. Your safety is top priority. If you have a need for an office visit, test, procedure or surgery, St. Elizabeth is fully open and is doing everything we can to make your experience as safe as possible. Screening upon entry, mask use, hand washing, social distancing, increased cleaning, and pre-procedure testing are all in place to keep you and your family safe. Be sure to talk to your physician about how we’re keeping you safe. If you are experiencing symptoms or have concerns, don’t put off your visit. If you think you are having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. To safely schedule an appointment with a cardiologist, call (859) 287-3045. MORE INFORMATION ON ELECTIVE PROCEDURES AND SAFETY Women and Heart Disease Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women – it causes 1 in 3 deaths each year, according to the American Heart Association. Yet, many women don’t consider heart disease to be their greatest threat. Consider these sobering facts: Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for heart disease or stroke. Since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease. And, the gap between men and women’s survival continues to grow. Symptoms of heart disease can be different in women than in men and are often misunderstood. Heart attacks don’t always cause chest pain, and women are more likely to experience other symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, or back or jaw pain. What Causes Heart Disease? It's important for women to know about this deadly – but preventable – disease. Heart disease affects your blood vessels and cardiovascular system. It's often caused by atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque (a fatty substance) inside the walls of your arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries and can lead to a blockage, which can stop blood flow and cause a heart attack or stroke. There are other types of heart disease in which your heart doesn't function properly, such as heart failure, heart arrhythmia and heart valve problems. Symptoms of a Heart Attack Although some heart attacks can be sudden and intense, most heart attacks begin slowly, with mild pain and symptoms. Knowing the symptoms can help save your life. The warning signs of a heart attack include: Chest discomfort – An uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. Discomfort in other areas of your upper body – Can include pain or discomfort in one or both of your arms or your back, neck, jaw or stomach. Shortness of breath – With or without chest discomfort. Other signs – May include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness, dizziness, arm numbness or extreme fatigue. Women are more likely to report these less common symptoms, sometimes in the absence of other, more typical symptoms. Don't drive. Don't delay. Call 911 right away. Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, call 911 — don’t drive. Fast action can save your life or someone else’s. When you call 911, paramedics can start providing care and let the Emergency Department know they’re on the way. Learn more about our lifesaving heart attack care. Contact Us For a new patient cardiology appointment, call (859) 287-3045. To find contact information for your current provider, search here. Women & Heart Attack Symptoms Sweating, back pain ... These don't sound like typical heart attack symptoms. But, for Karen, they were. Find out how women often experience other symptoms of heart attack. READ KAREN'S STORY Healing Hearts Women who have experienced a heart event or a heart-related diagnosis are welcome to our women’s support group called Healing Hearts. Click here to learn more. Your Road to Recovery Recovering after a heart attack or surgery takes time, and we’re here to help. Our rehabilitation experts will help you regain cardiovascular health and fitness safely. FIND OUT MORE